Emergency---Muzzle Question!

[Cozy]

Can somebody please give me advice??

My employer has chosen me to work at home, if I want. Its an honor and would be great. I'd save a load of money. I could also be home with my child.

But the problem is that I work in a call center, and so I will have many, many calls during the day----and sometimes they listen in.

Other employees have had trains in the background, or, meows----and they couldnt stop it, so, I have to be careful.

I only have a week to decide.

I dont want to use one of those shock collars, I feel I would be hurting the dog. I thought if I got them a no bark muzzle----with alot of area for ventilation and they would be in the livingroom, with the air conditioning on, and I would come in often to check them, and let them out---do you think it would hurt them?

I know that if it was hot outside, and they were coming in panting, I would never put a muzzle on. I have heard the muzzle is a wonderful idea and some say its not!! I am so confused. I'd be able to buy them lots more dog food----and bones!! They stay home anyway when I am working, and they have eachother for company. They usually snuggle and sleep.

Does anyone know of a way that I can keep them rather silent while I am on the phone?? I really am desperate, and I have to make a decision by next Wednesday----I need your advice----boxers are special, you know....??

I would be in another room with the door closed, so that will help, ofcourse, and otherwise things will be very quiet. But sometimes when they see something out the window they go nuts.

Thanks
Cozy

 

[Net45582]

I'd say close the curtains and go for it-with out the muzzles.

 

[gmacleod]

Does your dog actually bark? If not, then you've got no problem.

If he does, then I'd suggest that you either work in a different room with the door closed or else turn the working from home down. It is not reasonable to be even considering giving your dog electric shocks, or otherwise shoving a muzzle on him just to keep the noise down while you're on the phone. Presumably, in a call centre that would mean you're on the phone for most of the day!

 

[Cozy]

They bark when they see someone out the window---maybe 2 or 3 times a day. They bark for a reason, not because they are bored or anything....


No, I agree, I won't ever give them electric shocks. As a matter of fact, I managed to get into an apartment complex----that takes dogs----and thats hard to find here on the East Coast, thats how much I love my dogs. I just cant get rid of them, thats the problem! I love them so much...

I guess I want the best of both worlds.

Any more advice?

 

[gmacleod]

Well, closing the curtains might actually be a reasonable solution If they don't see, they shouldn't bark.

At least you don't have a nuisance barking problem on your hands there. So finding a solution shouldn't be that difficult. There are a few threads on the forums about stopping barking - but that really relates to the sorts of dogs who bark continuously. It's not really a simple matter to prevent a dog giving one or two barks at the sight of something - the urge to alert is a natural and reaonable one (other than blocking their view, of course). It's worth doing a search here about barking - you might find some useful suggestions. But I think your best bet is going to be limiting their view of things outside that are likely to cause them to bark in the first place.

 

[Cozy]

Thank you---I never thought of limiting their view. That might work well. I'll think about that one....

 

[tesster]

Blocking the view is the perfect solution. I used to work from home a lot and when I had calls, I would just close the blinds. It worked fine.

I wanted to add this...The "no bark" muzzles restrict the dogs' ability to pant and should NEVER be used without supervision and never for longer than 20 minutes.

I don't think it's the way to go in this situation, but it's worth noting for anyone who comes along in the future with a similar situation.

 

[SandyHG55654]

Mine usually are asleep under my chair when i'm working at home and yeah they occasionally bark but not anything that would require a muzzle even if I am on the phone. Just get a cordless and you go outside if the barking starts and finish your call.